Rachel Reilly on Big Brother 15: ‘It’s going to be insane’

Nothing says summer like a fresh season of Big Brother. And nothing says Big Brother like over-enthusiastic redhead Rachel Reilly.

“Oh my god, I am so excited to watch this summer!” says the 28-year-old reality TV fanatic during a visit to Toronto to hype Big Brother 15, premièring Wednesday on Global and CBS.

North-Carolina-bred Reilly’s claim to BB fame began in the summer of 2010, when she brought her notice-me curves and her even more sizable personality to the hidden camera show hosted by Julie Chen. She came in ninth, but found love in fellow house guest Brendon Villegas.

The pair got engaged shortly after the season and returned for Big Brother 13 in 2011, when Rachel managed to take home the show’s $500,000 grand prize. They’ve since competed on The Amazing Race (they placed third) and tied the knot last September — for a TV audience, natch.

While Reilly — a chemistry major and former Las Vegas cocktail waitress — says she’s not one of the 16 house guests participating this season, she does admit she “could possibly have some involvement” in BB 15. Who knows where, and when, she’ll show up this season.

For now, she’s more than happy to discuss the game’s latest twists (three people will be nominated for eviction each week, and one person will be selected by social media savvy viewers as the weekly MVP), as well as her tips for new house guests and, of course, her man Brendon.

Q: What do you think of Big Brother’s new twists?

A: I can’t even imagine having to nominate three people. It’s going to be insane. It’s going to totally change the game. The Head of Household is going to have to be really strategic. They’re gong to have to really think about their game play.

And then this MVP thing is changing it. Six people each week are going to hold some sort of card in the Big Brother game. Whether it’s the Head of Household, the VETO holder, the MVP or one of the three nominees, you’re going to see six people who are ultimately deciding what happens that week.

Q: Were you a fan of Big Brother Canada?

A: I was obsessed. I’d wake up at 5 a.m. just to watch it. Every single week there was a crazy twist. And sometimes I’m thinking, guys, this is really ridiculous. But then in the end it was amazing. When Gary Glitter (Levy) decided to take Jillian (MacLaughlin) to the final two over Emmett (Blois), and then it was Gary and Jillian in the final two, I almost died.

I though that the fact that Jillian won, she really deserved it. My favourite player was Gary. I was kind of in love with Gary.

Q: You’re known as the only Big Brother winner who was nominated for eviction five times. What are your tips for getting off the block?

A: My tip is always for people that end up getting nominated often is let it roll off your back and honestly play every single week like it’s your last week in the house. Every single day you need to be on top of your game to be successful.

It could change in a heartbeat. They could decide there’s going to be a double eviction and you could go home. I just think people need to remember you can’t get comfortable in the Big Brother house. You have to play. You can’t be a floater.

Former Big Brother showmancers and married couple Brendon Villegas and Rachel Reilly.

Q: How is married life?

A: It’s amazing! It’s kind of different and I never thought it was going to be because we lived together before, but there’s something to be said about being married.

You get to live with your best friend every day, you get to wake up with each other. We go on jogs every morning. We take care of the dogs and the plants. I have to say I love being married to Brendon. Living with your best friend every day, I couldn’t be happier.

Q: You were on TV when you were falling in love. How did you know what you guys had was real and not just a showmance?

A: I don’t think we did know at first. When you’re in the Big Brother house it seems like your emotions are so much more exaggerated and they’re so much more intense. But then you’re spending 24 hours a day together so it’s very different way to date.

When we fell in love on Season 12, it was so surreal because I didn’t realize it was happening. And then when we were in the jury house together it was totally natural and normal and there were no cameras and I think we got to fall in love even more.

We share something that not a lot of couple shares and I know it can get us through any hard time.

Q: Will there be any little Brenchels walking around in the future?

A: I hope so. I can’t wait to have little Big Brother babies. We are thinking about having them but Brendon wants to wait until after he gets his PhD. I keep telling him like, ‘Listen, we have some money, we’re stable now,’ and he’s like, ‘No, I need to finish my PhD.’ So hopefully in a few years.

Q: Will you try to fit in another season of Big Brother first?

A: I would love to. I hope they do an all-star season. I think it would be really fun to play with some of the great players that I’ve admired and with some of the newer players like Frank (Eudy) and Ian (Terry). And who knows who’s going to be on this season?